Sports Thursday, April 4, 2019 19 New Zealand name untested Opera Baron grabs Blundell in World Cup squad

AFP Al Huwaila Cup Wellington New Zealand opted for ex- perience in a 15-man squad Trainers Jassim Ghazali, Alban de Mieulle excel in 40th Race Meeting named on Wednesday for this year’s World Cup, with rookie ’s inclu- sion as back-up wicketkeeper the only real surprise. The Black Caps hope to shed their tag as valiant losers and claim the title after exit- ing in the semi-finals six times and suffering a heavy defeat to Australia in their only appear- ance in the final four years ago. New Zealand are currently third in the one-day rankings, behind England and India. Tom Blundell: A surprise inclusion in the Kiwi squad Coach said the -led side had Henry, while Jimmy Neesham repeatedly excelled at the top Squad and level and he was confident New Zealand: add all-round options. the consistency would shine Kane Williamson (Capt), Tom Blundell, Trent Henry Nicholls is set to through at the tournament in Boult, Colin de Grandhomme, Lockie open the with veteran England and Wales. Ferguson, , , Tom Martin Guptill after displacing “We’ve got a squad here of Latham, , Jimmy Neesham, Henry Colin Munro at the top of the Nicholls, , , Tim 15 players that we think can Southee, order, although Munro will give us a really, really good make the trip as batting cover. chance of going far into the stays fit. Williamson and Ross Tay- tournament,” he said. Mitchell Santner will be lor, in his fourth World Cup QREC CEO Nasser bin Sherida al Kaabi with Al Huwaila Cup-winner Opera Baron’s group after the prize distribution at the QREC Racecourse in “If we play close to our po- the New Zealanders’ primary campaign, complete a battle- New Al Rayyan on Wednesday. tential, then hopefully we can spinner, with Ish Sodhi edging hardened batting line up. do New Zealand proud.” Todd Astle to claim the second Williamson, Taylor and Tribune News Network Wellington keeper Blun- slow position. Guptill have collectively DOHA dell was selected after Tim “(Selecting) the spinners amassed 526 ODI appearanc- Siefert, the regular back-up was very tough, and both es between them. Opera Baron, ridden by JP to first-choice gloveman Tom had signs at times that they Guptill and Taylor have Guillambert, unleashed a po- Latham, broke his finger in a should’ve been the one that not confirmed their post-tour- tent home-stretch kick and domestic match last month. was selected... but at the end nament plans but will most stormed away with the Al Hu- While Blundell, who has of the day that’s my call to likely be looking to exit crick- waila Cup, beating defending two Test caps, will likely make make,” Stead said. et’s biggest stage on a high. champion Topsy Turvy at the his one-day international de- The pace attack comprises The Black Caps will open Qatar Racing and Equestrian but at the tournament, his role , , their campaign against Sri Club Racecourse on Wednes- will be marginal if Latham and Matt Lanka in Cardiff on June 1. day. At the dirt track, the Khali- fa bin Sheail al Kuwari-owned six-year-old bay gelding, fresh skipper from his Al Mesaimeer Cup last month, displayed his fined after Settled England strength and pulled clear of drink-driving crash Topsy Turvy (Eduardo Pedro- za) before winning by two and AFP favourites for World a half lengths in the 1,700m Colombo feature race at the 40th Race Meeting. Sri Lanka’s cricket board on Cup, says Cook This was the third win for JP Guillambert steers Opera Baron to victory in the Al Huwaila Cup, the feature event of the 40th Race Wednesday fined Di- the Jassim Ghazali ward, who Meeting in New Al Rayyan on Wednesday. muth Karunaratne $7,000 af- Reuters England failed to cope with started the term with the pres- ter he was arrested for drink- LONDON raised expectations at the 2017 tigious HH Mohammed Bin driving, with the player also Champions Trophy when they Khalifa Al Thani Trophy vic- results ordered to stand trial next Former captain Alastair lost to eventual winners Paki- tory (Gr 2), in six races this 40th Race Meeting - Al Huwaila Cup (dirt) LOCAL THOROUGHBRED GRADUATION PLATE 1,200m 1. Al Hasnaa (Harry Bentley), 2. Sacred Way (Al month. Cook believes England have stan in the semi-finals. season, taking his overall win- LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN NOVICE PLATE 1,200m Prize Money: QR50,000 (1st 28,500 2nd 11,000 3rd Moatasem al Balushi), 3. Crisscrossed (Marco Karunaratne, 30, has apol- an “outstanding chance” to lift Cook is positive such blips Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 9,900 3rd 5,500) Casamento) ners to 13 in 33 races. 4,950) 1. Qate’e (Harry Bentley), 2. Dhergham Bu Thaila (Ryan Won by head. 1. Time 1:48.06 ogised for his “unbecoming” the World Cup on home soil, can only make a team mentally Aluqdah was third by 1. Sealine (Ronan Thomas), 2. Lekhraib (Harry Bentley), Curatolo), 3. Khoud (Marco Casamento) Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al Kuwari. Trainer: Mohammed actions after he was detained having built a squad full of stronger. Since the start of last half length, while Rich His- 3. Saab Al Manal (JP Guillambert) Won by 0.5, 3.25. Time 1:12.75 Jassim Ghazali for crashing into a three-wheel proven match winners. year, England have come out tory managed to hold off Ro- Won by 1.5, 1.25. Time 1:17.88 Owner: Injaaz Stud. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali taxi on Sunday, leaving its driv- ’s top-ranked on top in bilateral ODI series Owner: Umm Qarn. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP man Legend by one and a half THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 5) 1,900m Prize Money: QR60,000 (1st 34,200 2nd 13,200 3rd er injured. side enter the tournament as against World Cup holders Aus- lengths to claim the fourth THOROUGHBRED MAIDEN PLATE (Class 6) 1,700m Prize Money: QR50,000 (1st 28,500 2nd 11,000 3rd 6,600) “Sri Lanka Cricket decided the one of the most consistent tralia, New Zealand, Sri Lanka spot. Prize Money: QR45,000 (1st 25,650 2nd 9,900 3rd 5,500) 1. Baker De Saularie (Ryan Curatolo), 2. Diese (Ronan to impose a fine of $7,000 on teams in the format and their and India. Ghazali also recorded two 4,950) 1. Shadow Game (Al Moatasem al Balushi), 2. Al Thomas), 3. Bsheer (Faleh Bughanaim) Dimuth Karunaratne, after quest for a first 50-overs title “They had that blip in the 1. Queen Shaahd (Marco Casamento), 2. Istibdad (JP Mikdam (Rashid Ali al Marri, -3kg) Won by 2.5, 0.75. Time 2:06.21. other winners earlier in the Guillambert), 3. Al Hisaar (Al Moatasem al Balushi) 3. Truancy (Meteb Ali al Marri, -5kg) Owner & Trainer: Eng Osama al Dafea the player was found to have begins against South Africa at (2017) Champions Trophy, day. Harry Bentley managed Won by 2.5, 2.5. Time 1:48.50 Won by 1.25, 1.25. Time 2:02.16 violated the ‘Player Contractual on May 30. where they lost in the semi-final to take Qate’e to a fighting Owner: Shaheen al Ghanim. Trainer: Jassim Ghazali Owner: Al Mugheerat Stud. Trainer: Wasim al Sahn AL HUWAILA CUP 1,700m Obligation,’” the board said in a Since their shock group- to Pakistan when they were fa- half-length triumph in the Conditions: THOROUGHBREDS (Class 2) and horses statement. stage exit from the 2015 World vourites, but you need those THOROUGHBRED GRADUATION PLATE (Class 5) LOCAL PUREBRED ARABIAN HANDICAP 1,700m rated below 60 are not eligible Local Thoroughbred Gradua- 1,100m Prize Money: QR55,000 (1st 31,350 2nd 12,100 3rd Prize Money: QR100,000 (1st 57,000 2nd 22,000 However, the board will Cup, England have been par- lows to be able to grow as a tion Plate against Dhergham Prize Money: QR50,000 (1st 28,500 2nd 11,000 3rd 6,050) 3rd 11,000 4th 6,000 5th 4,000) take no further action as he had ticularly strong at home, win- side,” he added. Bu Thaila. This was the sec- 5,500) 1. Adhab (Damien Morin, -5kg), 2. Aneeq (Jimmy Quinn), 1. Opera Baron (JP Guillambert), 2. Topsy Turvy (Eduardo maintained a “very high profes- ning 30 of their 42 ODIs while “They are favourites. This 1. Thorndyke (Yousef al Hajri), 2. Acclaimed Dancer 3. Khor Al Adaid (Ivan Rossi) Pedroza), 3. Aluqdah (Gerald Avranche), 4. Rich History ond victory for Injaaz Stud’s (Rashid Ali al Marri, -3kg), 3. Random Decision (Tomas Won by neck. 4. Time 1:59.37 (Jean Baptiste Hamel), 5. Roman Legend (Theo sional standard as a player”. losing only nine. “England have is a great opportunity for Eoin four-year-old bay colt. Marco Lukasek) Owner: Saif al Hajri. Trainer: Alban de Mieulle Bachelot) A magistrate has suspended an outstanding chance,” Cook, (Morgan) and the guys to play Casamento pushed intelli- Won by 0.75, 0.5. Time 1:04.58 Won by 2.25, 0.5, 8.25, 1.5. Time 1:47.33 Karunaratne’s driving licence who retired last year from inter- some fantastic cricket. gently the Shaheen al Ghanim- Owner: Dr Ebtesam al Muslamani. Trainer: Abdulatif al THOROUGHBRED HANDICAP (Class 4) 1,700m Owner: Khalifa bin Sheail al Kuwari. Trainer: Jassim and fixed a trial for May 2. national cricket, told Sky Sports. “There are match winners Muslamani Prize Money: QR55,000 (1st 31,350 2nd 12,100 3rd Ghazali owned Queen Shaahd to beat 6,050) Police told the court that “This is first time going into throughout the squad, there are Istibad by two and a half Karunaratne went through a a World Cup England have such batsmen that can win games on lengths in the Thoroughbred red light and hit the taxi whose a settled squad. Everything their own, and over the last six Maiden Plate for his first win naa turned out to be another med Jassim Ghazali, edged Ridden by Bentley, Al Hasnaa driver was hospitalised for mi- looks great from the outside, or eight months the bowling has of the season in three races. winner when the four-year-old Sacred Way by a head to claim secured the second win of the nor injuries after the pre-dawn they have every option cov- really come on. I think they are For owner Kuwari, Al Has- bay filly, trained by Moham- the Thoroughbred Handicap. season in eight races. crash. ered.” going to win it.” Prize money in women’s Hardik, Suryakumar plot first CSK defeat golf nothing to complain IANS ries and a six) and Mahendra Mohit Sharma finally broke Mumbai Singh Dhoni (12 off 21) then the partnership by sending about, says Davies anchored their team, getting almost dangerous looking Defending champions 54 runs. However, the skipper Krunal back in the 17th over. Reuters LPGA earnings, while 101 play- Chennai Super Kings tasted couldn’t stay for much time in His knock was laced with five North Carolina ers cracked six figures. That does their first defeat in theI ndian the middle as he fell to Hardik boundaries and a six. not take into account off-course Premier League (IPL) 2019 as Pandya while trying to acceler- While trying to shift gears Prize money in women’s golf earnings from sponsors and they lost to ate the run-rate. and accelerate the run-rate, pales in comparison to the rich- commercial endorsements. “I by 33 runs here on Wednes- Jadhav tried to keep one Suryakumar tried to clear the es on offer for men, but Laura think we’re doing great,” Davies day. end in control but Malinga fence off a Bravo , Davies thinks the $70 million told Reuters ahead of next Chasing a target of 171, ended his laborious effort be- but ended up giving a catch up for grabs on the LPGA Tour month’s U.S. Senior Open at none of the Chennai bats- fore Chennai lost remaining to Jadeja at the long-on. It this year represents success by Pine Needles in North Carolina. men were able to show resist- players and the way. left the hosts at 125/5 in 17.6 any reasonable measure. “At the U.S. Women’s Open ance except Kedhar Jadhav, Earlier, despite a slow overs. Never mind that the PGA this year, we play for $900,000 who played a fighting 58-run start, it was Hardik and Kei- Suryakumar’s fighting in- Tour will distribute about $500 to the winner. Alright, the guys knock. ron Pollard’s quick-fire play, nings contained eight bound- million to its players in 2019. are getting two million, but For Mumbai, Lasith Malin- which propelled Mumbai In- aries and one hit into the Women’s professional golf is who cares? “If you’d told me ga and Hardik Pandya rattled dians to 170/5. stands. doing just fine, according to back in my day when I was a the Chennai batting line-up, While most Chennai bowl- Pollard and Hardik showed Davies. genuine chance that if you win scalping three each. ers, who maintained a tight some quick hands towards the At 55, the Englishwoman, you’re going to get $900,000, I Chasing the target, Chen- economy rate in 18 overs, went end as they hammered Bravo who has more than 30 years on wouldn’t have believed you.” nai started on a poor note, los- profligate in the last two overs for 29 runs in the final over to the tour, remembers the days While Davies has 20 LPGA ing openers Ambati Rayudu as Pollard (17 unbeaten off 7) help Mumbai reach 170/5 in when only a couple of dozen victories, including four ma- and Shane Watson cheaply. and Hardik (25 unbeaten off the allotted 20 overs. elite LPGA players made a de- jors, she has not won since While ac- 8) hammered them all around cent living, while the vast ma- 2001, but finished in a tie for counted for Watson (5), Jason the park to help their team Mumbai Indians batsman Hardik Pandya plays a shot during the Brief score jority scraped by with barely second at the Founders Cup Behrendorff sent back Rayudu post a fighting total. 2019 (IPL) cricket match against Mumbai Indians 170/5 (Suryakumar Yadav enough to cover their expenses. lat year and believes that she on a . Suryakumar Yadav (59) Chennai Super Kings in Mumbai on Wednesday. (AFP) 59, Krunal Pandya 42; Ravindra Jadeja It is a different story now. could win again, which is why With Chennai reeling at and Krunal Pandya (42) also 1/10) beat Chennai Super Kings 133/8 Last year 14 players had she plans to keep playing for as 33/3 in 4.5 overs, Jadhav (58 made valuable contributions Suryakumar and Krunal showed some resistance and (Kedhar Jadhav 58, Suresh Raina 16; Hardik more than $1 million in official long as she can. off 54, including eight bounda- to the team’s score. Pandya (42 off 32) then stitched a 62-run partnership. Pandya 3/20) by 33 runs